Taipei without its night markets is like Singapore without hawker centres. The real question is not whether to go, it is which ones are worth your time and how to do them without getting ripped off as a tourist. Here is the honest guide to 5 night markets you need to know about, written from a Singaporean’s perspective.
1. Shilin Night Market (士林夜市)
Shilin is the largest and most famous night market in Taiwan. It is split into two sections — a large covered shopping street and an outdoor area with food stalls.
What to eat at Shilin:
- Crispy fried chicken — S$5-S$8
- Oyster omelette — S$6-S$10
- Bubble milk tea — S$4-S$6
- Stinky tofu — S$5-S$8
MRT: Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Shilin Station (R14), Exit 1. 5 minutes walk.
Best time to go: 4pm-6pm for food stalls opening fresh. After 8pm it gets very crowded.
Cost: S$5-S$15 per dish.
2. Ningxia Night Market (宁夏夜市)
Ningxia is the most local of the major Taipei night markets. It runs along a single street near Taipei Main Station and is significantly smaller than Shilin.
What to eat at Ningxia:
- Pork belly over rice — S$5-S$8
- Oyster noodles — S$5-S$8
- Fu Dan Dan noodles — S$5-S$8
- Tofu rice — S$4-S$6
MRT: Taipei Main Station (BL12/A1), walk east along Tianjin Street to Ningxia Road. 5-10 minutes.
Best time to go: 6pm-8:30pm. After that some stalls start to sell out.
Cost: S$4-S$12 per dish. Cheaper than Shilin.
3. Raohe Street Night Market (饶河街夜市)
Raohe Street is located near the Taipei Songshan Airport area, next to the Ciyun Temple.
What to eat at Raohe:
- Black pepper buns (guabao) — S$5-S$8
- Herbal lamb soup — S$6-S$10
- Taiwanese beef noodle — S$6-S$10
- Pineapple cake — S$1-S$2 per piece
MRT: Taipei Bridge Station (BL11), Exit 2. 3 minutes walk.
Best time to go: 6pm when stalls open.
Cost: S$5-S$15 per dish.
4. Liuhe Night Market (六合夜市) — Kaohsiung
Liuhe is Kaohsiung’s most famous night market. Worth the THSR trip from Taipei (1.5 hours) if you are doing a south Taiwan itinerary.
What to eat at Liuhe:
- Salt fried chicken — S$6-S$10
- Fresh seafood — S$10-S$20 (Kaohsiung is a port city)
- Mango shrimp — S$12-S$18
- Steamed bao — S$3-S$5
THSR from Taipei: 1.5 hours. Alight at Kaohsiung Station.
Best time to go: 6pm-10pm. Liuhe runs later than Taipei markets.
5. Feng Chia Night Market (逢甲夜市) — Taichung
Feng Chia in Taichung is often rated the best night market in Taiwan by locals. Famous for creative and unique foods — items that were invented here or popularised here.
What to eat at Feng Chia:
- Tornado potato fries — S$5-S$8
- Mochi donuts — S$4-S$6
- Grilled steak — S$8-S$15
- Coffin toast — S$5-S$8
- Bubble milk tea — the birthplace of the drink (S$3-S$5)
THSR from Taipei: 1 hour to Taichung. Then taxi or bus (20 minutes).
Best time to go: 7pm-midnight. Feng Chia comes alive after 9pm.
Cost: S$5-S$18 per dish.
The Best Strategy for a 3-5 Day Taipei Trip
Day 1: Arrive, evening in Ximending
Day 2: Shilin Night Market — go at 4pm, stay until 8pm
Day 3: Raohe Street Night Market
Day 4: Ningxia Night Market — for your last evening
What Singaporeans Should Know
Most stalls are cash only. Bring at least S$200 in cash per person for night market food over 3-4 visits.
Bring tissues. Many stalls do not provide napkins.
Stinky tofu is worth trying. It smells like ammonia and feet. It tastes like nothing you expect. Give it two bites before you decide.
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